Astoria attorney John Ciafone is running for City Council District 22 (Astoria) to replace outgoing Peter Vallone, Jr. He has run previously for the council as well as for the assembly… What you may not know is that Ciafone currently appears on Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio’s slumlord list (for a property located in Greenpoint no less — Ed. Note). To his credit, he is on the “most improved” list, having reduced his violations from 195 to 2. He tried to donate to DeBlasio, but it was returned. Local council member/Vito Lopez protege Steve Levin and Queens BP candidates Peter Vallone and Melinda Katz apparently have no qualms about keeping his money, however…

Otherwise, I will leave you with this footage from a campaign event from Christopher Olechowski’s campaign for 50th Assembly District Democratic Party Male Leader. At 0:28 you can see John J. Ciafone, Esquire, himself…

I encourage you all, gentle readers, to give ALL these videos (there are five total) a watch. They’re, um, interesting.

I heard the accident from my apartment (on the NW corner of Eagle and Manhattan). It happened a little after 9pm. No horns, no tires screeching, just a skid followed by the sound of impact. By the time I got to the front window, someone was attempting to pick the motorcyclist up from the ground by pulling on his arms until someone said not to move him. I don’t know if his helmet had been knocked off from the impact or if someone had taken it off. Another guy eventually started CPR which an EMT took over once they arrived. At that point it was clear how serious it was as the man was completely unresponsive. From the looks of it, I don’t think he survived. The driver of the car was extricated (side airbags had deployed) and was taken away on a stretcher and was the only other person taken by ambulance aside from the motorcyclist. There was a second motorcyclist at the scene who appeared to have been involved but was uninjured and later rode away. Sanitation is still cleaning up the intersection. Just a horrible, horrible thing.

Update, August 16th: Here’s what happened per the NYPD

On Thursday, August 15, 2013 at approximately 2113 hours, police responded to a motor vehicle accident at the corner of Eagle Street & Manhattan Avenue, located within the confines of the 94 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers determined that Vehicle #1, a Yamaha R6L motorcycle, operated by a M/W/18, was traveling southbound on Manhattan avenue approaching Eagle Street. At the same time, Vehicle #2, a 2011 Toyota Camry, operated by a M/B/23, was at a stop sign on Eagle street, when the operator proceeded to enter the intersection. Vehicle #1 collided into the driver’s side of Vehicle #2 as it entered the intersection. EMS responded to the location and transported both victims Woodhull hospital. The operator of Vehicle #2 suffered non-life threatening injuries and is listed in stable condition. Vehicle #1 operator sustained severe body trauma and was pronounced DOA. The investigation is ongoing.

That’s right folks. Nowy Dziennik writes (thanks to a translation given by a readers named Joanna!):

In turn, from the management of the locale we found out that, indeed Polonaise Terrace will be closing and will only be functioning until the 30th of September, although he says the location has not been sold. “We will 100% be closing the restaurant at the end of September, however information regarding the sale is gossip” — said one of the managers of the firm, who also did not want to be named.

The word on the street is this building will be razed so as to building residential property. Given this building is located in a landmark district yours truly finds this interesting. Nonetheless, Nowy Dziennik concludes their tome as follows:

…In turn, according to the zoning map and the information on the Department of Buildings updated and approved by the City Council of New York on July 24 this year, shows that the region at Greenpoint Ave. is currently known. R6A zone. Changing the zoning classification allows for the construction of a 15 foot high apartment than it was before.

This amazing map was brought to my attention courtesy of Phil Depaolo. As you can plainly see, the Garden Spot has the dubious distinction of turning out to the polls in less-than-stellar numbers (13%, to be precise). If we want to see things change hereabouts, we need to make our voices heard at the polls. It really is that simple folks. Or, as Pa Heather piquantly puts it:

This is how flaming assholes get into office. Check the numbers on the recent LA mayoral election.